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Bicycle giveaway!
A Specialized Hardrock mountain bike has been
generously donated to the Safe Streets Save Lives campaign, and we want to give you the opportunity to win this bike! The bike is 19", a size large.
Only persons residing in South Carolina who are at least 13 years of age can enter. The sweepstakes ends May 18, 2012 at 11:59 pm (EDT). It's easy and free to enter. Visit the sweepstakes and submit your contact details so that we can follow up if you are a winner. |
Campaign progress On Wednesday, April 25, the Safe Streets Project Team joined our partners at the South Carolina Departments of Safety and Transportation to unveil our plans for the second phase of the Safe Streets campaign. Read Rachael Bronson's, Palmetto Cycling Coalition executive director, remarks on the Coalition's blog.
In phase two, a total of $75,000 of Federal safety funds will be  invested to grow the Safe Streets message. These funds will be used to further raise awareness and public knowledge about bicycling and South Carolina law. 83% of these funds will be used on public outreach, public relations and educational efforts, and 17% will be spent on production and development of materials and campaign resources.
The value added from this investment is tremendous. Approximately $53,500 will be donated to the campaign in the following ways: mobile site development, a Specialized mountain bike, online and TV ads, ad design and development, and much more.
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Safe Streets tip: always stop at traffic lights
South Carolina law requires all bicycle uses to obey traffic signs and signals just as a car would--that means stopping at red traffic lights and stop signs. But what do you do if you're stopped at a light and it just won't turn to green? - If you're at a pre-timed traffic signal, you'll just have to wait long enough for the light to rotate through it's timed cycle.
- If you're at a demand-actuated signal, the light will turn green when the system detects traffic. Generally, this type of signal consists of a buried loop of wire; when a large mass of metal moves over the top of the loop, it triggers
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Bicycle loop detector in Greenville
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the controller to change the light to green. At most lights,you can see the presence of this system as it is indicated by a black line in the pavement. Next time you ride around town, position your tire over this spot to try to trigger the system. - The best system for bicyclists have been installed by the City of Greenville; these are special bicycle loop detectors installed beneath the pavement that are designed to be sensitive enough to detect a bicycle. These loop detectors are indicated on the surface of the pavement. As a cyclist, you should stop your bicycle tires directly on this pavement marking.
What if you'd tried all of these tricks and you still can't trigger the light? According to South Carolina law, Section 56-5-970, if you have waited at the red light for more than two minutes (120 seconds) and the light hasn't changed, then you can legally proceed through the intersection with caution. If you have questions, contact the Project Team.
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Get a Safe Streets tee
If you are not one of the first 30, you will still receive your choice of PCC socks while supplies last. The donation can be a membership renewal, a new membership, or a general donation (in addition to your existing membership). If you're not a t-shirt person and would prefer socks, that's no problem! Download this form and mail it in; or donate through Razoo and be sure to email Cait and tell her what your preferences and sizes are. Thanks so much for your support, and happy bike month!
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Safe streets in the news
- Know the Laws for Bike Riders and Drivers (WLTX)
- Safe cycling effort giving away a bike (The State)
- South Carolina Group Plans 'Safe Streets' Strategy (Centerlines)
- South Carolina Partnership Boosts Safety Campaign (American Bicyclist Update)
- Safe Streets Save Lives Campaign and Bike Giveaway (Lowcountry Biz)
- SC DPS educating pedestrians, cyclists after fatal wrecks increase (Myrtle Beach Online)
- State troopers work to raise awareness of pedestrian (& bicycle) deaths (SC News Now)
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 Safe Streets Save Lives, a project of the Palmetto Cycling Coalition and Bike Law, is the first initiative of its kind that is working towards improving bicycle safety on South Carolina roads. With this campaign we are working to make the issues of bicycling and the law more mainstream through strategic media, marketing and educational efforts. | Visit us at safestreetssavelives.org.
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